Going with the Flow, Knowing What to Do and What Not to Do: Insights from Hexagram 17, Sui (Following)

One of the greatest wisdoms in life is not forcing the world to change, but learning to move with the current.

Hexagram 17, Sui (Following) in the I Ching is dedicated to the wisdom of “following”: When should you follow? Whom should you follow? How should you follow? And when should you not follow?

True “following” is not blind obedience, but going with the flow, acting purposefully, and knowing what not to do.

1. The Core of Hexagram Sui: The Ability to Move with the Current

In nature:

Water flows with the terrain
Grass bends with the wind
Birds migrate with the seasons

If a person goes against the current, the cost is enormous; moving with the current often yields twice the result with half the effort.

Hexagram Sui teaches us: True success comes from following correctly.

2. Line 1 (Initial Nine): Going Out to Make Connections Brings Merit — Keep Up with the Times

Insight: When the world changes, you must step out.

The first line points out: positions, environments, and eras will all change.

When circumstances shift:

Take the initiative to network
Understand trends
Engage with new opportunities

In the workplace:

Those who shut themselves off are easily eliminated
Those who actively connect with the world are more likely to succeed

The first step of going with the flow is to go out.

3. Line 2 (Six in the Second Place): Bound to the Young, Losing the Mature — Choosing the Wrong Circle

Insight: Following the wrong people is more dangerous than not trying.

If you spend long periods with:

Negative people
Short-sighted people
Dishonest people

You will lose opportunities to connect with outstanding individuals.

One of the most important choices in life: Who you walk with.

4. Line 3 (Six in the Third Place): Bound to the Mature, Losing the Young — Follow the Excellent

Insight: Stay away from petty people, and follow the strong.

When you follow excellent leaders and outstanding teams:

You learn faster
You grow faster
You gain more opportunities

In the workplace:

Choosing the right platform is often more important than individual effort.

5. Line 4 (Nine in the Fourth Place): Following Brings Gain, but Persistence Leads to Misfortune — Do Not Blindly Follow the Crowd

Insight: Not all “success” is right.

Sometimes:

Following trends can make money
Going with the flow can bring profit

But if it violates principles:

Short-term gains may bring long-term risk.

True following is:

Going with the current
Holding to integrity
Walking the bright, righteous path

6. Line 5 (Nine in the Fifth Place): Sincere in the Good, Good Fortune — Commit to a Righteous Cause

Insight: Pursue a noble undertaking.

When you devote yourself to:

A righteous cause
A worthwhile goal
An organization of integrity

Moving with the current becomes good fortune in life.

This is the golden stage of Hexagram Sui.

7. Top Line (Six at the Top): Bound and Held Fast — Maintain a Hard-Won Favorable Situation

Insight: After success, it is even more important to preserve it.

When you have:

A stable career
A mature team
A favorable situation

What you need is not radical risk-taking, but:

Protecting achievements
Bonding people together
Leading with virtue

True leadership means making more people willing to follow.

8. Summary of Hexagram Sui’s Workplace Wisdom

Keep up with the times
Stay away from the wrong circles
Follow outstanding people
Go with the current but hold to principles
Commit to righteous causes
Preserve success and unite people

This is a complete path of professional growth.

9. Conclusion: Following Is the Highest Form of Initiative

True “going with the flow” is not passive.

Instead, it is:

See the trend → Choose the direction → Move with the current → Uphold principles

Hexagram Sui tells us:

Moving with the current is wisdom; holding to integrity is character.

When you learn “what to do and what not to do,” life will enter the path of smooth flow.